BARSTOW, Calif. - A California father who survived after his family’s car was in was swept away by floodwaters is now facing criminal charges.

Father, son swept away by floodwaters

The backstory:

On Thursday, Sept. 18, as a storm moved through Southern California, Barstow first responders were called to an area in the 24000 block of West Main Street in the Inland Empire following reports a car had been swept away by floodwaters.

Investigators said around 7 p.m., 26-year-old Brandon Padilla-Aguilera and his 2-year-old son, Xavier, were in their vehicle and attempted to cross a flooded section of W. Main St., between Lenwood Road and Sweeten Lane. Their vehicle was swept off the roadway and swept into a wash.

The two got separated from the vehicle and then separated again and were

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